China held military exercise amid PH marine survey in Escoda Shoal — PCG

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China conducted exercises during the marine scientific survey in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Friday.

In a press conference, PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said the Chinese military suddenly held the exercise amid the marine scientific survey, which was conducted from June 3 to 4.

"Interestingly, the PLA Navy 987 contacted MRRV 9701 informing us that they are going to have an amphibious drill or operation," Tarriela said.

"Before the call or [before] they inform[ed] BRP Teresa Magbanua, they have already launched their hovercraft," he added.

The MRRV 9701 refers to the BRP Teresa Magbanua, the largest vessel in the PCG's fleet, which has been deployed at Escoda Shoal since April after Manila reported that China may be preparing to build an artificial island in the area.

The Philippine Navy on Tuesday slammed the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China for recently conducting exercises in Escoda Shoal.

"The other day, the PLA conducted an exercise in Sabina Shoal from 1100 to 1800. This was repeated also yesterday. We were able to monitor and challenge all their actions in Sabina Shoal," Philippine Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad said.

According to Trinidad, the Chinese military launched a hovercraft and aircraft and performed maneuvers at sea.

"First and foremost, they have no right to be within our exclusive economic zone. The conduct of an exercise is unauthorized under UNCLOS. It is not allowed," he added.

Courtesy: Philippine Coast Guard

During the marine scientific survey, Tarriela said the following Chinese vessels were spotted around the shoal:

• six PLAN vessels
• four China Coast Guard ships
• one Chinese research vessel
• nine Chinese maritime militia vessels

GMA News Online has requested comment from the Chinese Embassy in Manila regarding the matter, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

Sabina Shoal serves as the rendezvous point for vessels carrying out resupply missions to Filipino troops stationed on BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era vessel grounded at Ayungin Shoal since 1999.

Scientists from the University of the Philippines (UP) said Friday that the corals in Escoda Shoal are now "almost 100% dead." Extensive coral bleaching was observed during the marine scientific survey in the area.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion in annual ship commerce. Its territorial claims overlap with those of the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Manila calls parts of the waters within its exclusive economic zone as the West Philippine Sea.

In 2016, an international arbitration tribunal in the Hague ruled that China's claims over the South China Sea had no legal basis, a decision Beijing does not recognize. — VDV, GMA Integrated News